re ‧ fer S1 W1 /rɪˈfɜː $ -ɜːr/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle referred , present participle referring )
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ refer , ↑ referee , ↑ reference ; noun : ↑ referee , ↑ reference , ↑ referral ; adjective : ↑ referable ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: referre 'to bring back, report, refer' , from ferre 'to carry' ]
refer to somebody/something phrasal verb
1 . to mention or speak about someone or something:
We agreed never to refer to the matter again.
Although she didn’t mention any names, everyone knew who she was referring to.
refer to somebody/something as
He likes to be referred to as ‘Doctor Khee’.
refer to somebody/something by
The hospital now refers to patients by name, not case number.
2 . to look at a book, map, piece of paper etc for information:
He gave the speech without referring to his notes.
3 . if a statement, number, report etc refers to someone or something, it is about that person or thing:
The figures refer to our sales in Europe.
4 . refer somebody/something to somebody to send someone or something to a person or organization to be helped or dealt with:
My doctor is referring me to a dermatologist.
My complaint was referred to the manufacturers.
5 . refer somebody to something formal to tell someone where to find information:
Readers are referred to the bibliography for further information.